Stock Up, Stock Down for San Francisco 49ers' Top Draft Targets

USA TODAY SportsFrom touchdowns in college to end-zone paydirt in the pros—Mike Evans would fix the 49ers' scoring woes on offense.

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San Francisco 49ers fans understand the relativity of stock-up, stock-down projections for their team’s top draft targets.

That's especially true when they involve wide receivers.

It was only two years ago that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell read the name “A.J. Jenkins” when announcing the 49ers’ first-round draft pick.

While not quite amounting to Bill Simmons’ utter befuddlement when the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Anthony Benefit No. 1 overall, Jenkins was in no way the expected opening pick for San Francisco at No. 30 in 2012.

More prominent pass-catchers, such as Coby Fleener and Alshon Jeffery, were purportedly among those within the team’s radar.

The speedy, but smallish, receiver out of Illinois really had no stock at all.

But we’ll cite the one true inside source: Trent Baalke. And contrary to Verrett, the 49ers GM did reference the Oregon State wideout—and he did so with negative implications.

“Brandin Cooks is vertically challenged,” said Baalke in a press conference in which Maiocco attended. “Now you’ve got to determine does he play 5-9 or does he play 6-foot? Because Steve Smith was 5-9, but he played 6-1.”

So, how does that apply to Cooks, Mr. Baalke?

There are so many things that factor into it. Then you try to get them to marry into your system. Systems matter. Some people maybe don’t agree, but I’m a firm believer systems matter. That’s why our players tend to look similar at positions. There’s a reason for that.

3. Stock Up: Odell Beckham Jr.

There are certain wide receiver attributes that catch the eye of NFL decision-makers.

When talent evaluators underscore “ability to bend and get in and out of breaks, the catch radius [and] unbelievable hands,” or deem a particular prospect as “very, very, very explosive,” general managers tend to notice.

They especially notice when scouts say that said receiver has “no holes” in his game.

Better yet, the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch, via Twitter, reported that the 49ers are “very interested”—and for good reason.

Beckham is indeed the pro-ready complete package.

He can play the X, Z and slot, can return kicks and is a total force with the ball in his hands. CBSSports.com further notes his “terrific shake and burst…to beat press” and his proficiency at “elevating and extending to snare the ball from the air.”

Knowing that the 49ers met with him prior to his pro day one month ago and have maintained a keen interest as recently as last week, Beckham’s stock is up.

Expect a trade into the mid-teens on draft day if Baalke pursues the former SEC standout.

While still being the most physically gifted at his position, scouts told NFL media analyst Charles Davis (via Bryan Fischer of NFL.com) that “they’re not convinced he’s the best corner in this draft.” One of them even “called him a pile-inspector and not a willing blocker.”

Those are some rather scathing remarks about an otherwise immaculately rated prospect.

With the fourth overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns select...

Yes—Mike Evans, wide receiver, Texas A&M.

If he does go that soon after universally accepted No. 1 wideout Sammy Watkins, the 49ers will face a considerable uphill battle.

Moving into the top five would require multiple second- and third-round picks this year, not to mention a high-round selection in 2015, as outlined by Drafttek.com's Interactive Trade Chart. Even with the 49ers stockpile, that’s a massive haul for one player.

That being said, there’s little doubting the Niners’ red-zone and downfield-passing woes being eliminated by Evans.

The still-developing Colin Kaepernick could launch the ball as hard or as high or far down the gridiron, and let the 6’5’’, catch-everything target secure the pass.

He would provide Roman and Harbaugh’s offense with the aerial attack it so desperately needs.

We won’t get into the specifics of Super Bowl XLVII or last season’s NFC Championship—you get the picture.

Unfortunately, such a drastic rise in the prospect standings doesn’t necessarily equate to stock up for the Red and Gold.

As of Monday, May 2, 2014, selecting Evans in Round 1 exists in the realm of unattainable draft-day dreams.

Baalke and the 49ers must aim for a more reasonable Plan A come Thursday night.